Etymology Map
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Arpeggio

3 stages from Italian to English.

Today it means the notes of a chord played in rapid succession

Where does the word "arpeggio" come from? It comes from Italian arpa, passing through Italian before entering English (1740s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
arpa
Italian · medieval
"harp"
a harp
2
Stage 2 of 3
arpeggio
Italian · 1600s
"harp-like playing"
from 'arpeggiare', to play on a harp, spreading a chord's notes
3
Stage 3 of 3
arpeggio
English · 1740s
"broken chord"
taken into English musical terminology
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Read the full story

Arpeggio’s story begins in Italian: arpa meant “harp.” A harp. Within Italian, it grew into arpeggio by 1600s. From 'arpeggiare', to play on a harp, spreading a chord's notes. It reached English by 1740s as arpeggio. Taken into English musical terminology. Today, arpeggio means the notes of a chord played in rapid succession.